7-year-old killed in Trinity ISD van crash was daughter of deputy

TRINITY, TEXAS - TRINITY TX. - A 7-year-old student was killed and several others injured Thursday morning when a Trinity ISD van, stopped to pick up a child for school, was rear-ended.

According to the Trinity County Sheriff, Journey Magness died in the crash that occurred Thursday morning.

According to a DPS preliminary crash report, DPS troopers responded to a two-vehicle fatality crash involving a Trinity ISD van Thursday morning. The crash occurred on FM 1893 in Trinity County, about five miles west of Trinity.

The preliminary investigation indicates at approximately 7:26 a.m., an eastbound 2015 Chevrolet Trinity ISD van loaded with eight children was stopped to pick up a child when it was struck from behind by a 2008 Ford pick-up, occupied by the driver and three passengers.

Photo: Shayda Nazifpour (KAGS)

A seven-year-old Trinity girl, who was on the van at the time of crash, received substantial injuries and was transported from the scene to East Texas Medical Center (ETMC) in Trinity; she was pronounced deceased.

Five children were transported to ETMC by ambulance with non-life threatening injuries. Three other passengers and the driver of the ISD van were taken to ETMC in Trinity by private vehicle for reported precautionary measures.

All the children were properly secured at the time of the crash, according to on-scene investigators.

The driver of the van is identified as 55-year-old Chandra Wheeler from Trinity, TX. The driver of the Ford pick-up is identified as 17-year-old Micah Brock, also from Trinity.

Three passengers in the truck were transported to ETMC in Trinity, two by ambulance and one by private vehicle. The female driver was reportedly not injured during the crash.

No other injuries were reported as a result of this crash. The roadway is currently closed and motorists are encouraged to find alternate routes.

In addition to determining causative factors in the crash, Texas DPS troopers are examining all relevant evidence to ensure state law was followed.

This crash remains under investigation. No additional information is available at this time.

Trinity SD released the following statement:

Today, Thursday, December 1, 2016, a Trinity ISD school vehicle was involved in an accident on FM 1893 in Trinity County, when the district vehicle was hit from behind by another vehicle. The accident resulted in the death of one student and five other students being taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The ages of the students involved range from 5-15 years old. The Department of Public Safety is investigating the matter, and the parents and guardians of those involved have been notified.

The safety of the students and staff of Trinity ISD is our highest priority, and we mourn the loss of one of our students. All of the students, staff and their families involved in this incident are in the thoughts and prayers of the Trinity ISD family.

The District will cooperate fully in the investigation into this matter. Counselors will be made available at Trinity ISD schools for any student who needs those services.

Respectfully,

John Kaufman Ed. D Superintendent of Schools

For anyone wishing to help the Magness family, an account has been setup at First National Bank in Trinity. In addition, donations are being accepted on a GoFundMe page.

A funeral service for Journey Magness will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, December 7 at River of Life Church.